Twenty-two Latino organizations back pro-LGBT campaign

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — More than 20 Latino civil rights organizations announced on Sunday that they have endorsed a campaign designed to bolster acceptance of LGBT-specific issues among Hispanics.

The U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Cuban American National Council, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, the League of United Latin American Citizens and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund are among the 22 groups that have backed the “Familia es Familia” campaign.

Familia es Familia

The initiative will provide affiliated organizations with trainings, videos, publications and other resources in both English and Spanish on marriage rights for same-sex couples, discrimination and other issues.

“Familia es Familia” will also use Facebook, Twitter and other social media networks to further engage Latinos on these issues.

Ingrid Duran of D&P Creative Strategies, a D.C.-based public relations firm that helped create the campaign, told the Blade that “Familia es Familia” will provide “tools and resources to the community to start having conversations about LGBT issues.”

She added the campaign deliberately decided to focus on families because of the central role they play in many Latinos’ lives.

“Family unity is extremely important,” said Duran. “We felt that the first line of entry into the community to talk to families.”

The announcement took place during the National Council of La Raza’s annual convention in Las Vegas where gay actor Wilson Cruz and John Berry, director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, were among those honored. The gathering also included several workshops on marriage rights for gays and lesbians, bullying, employment and other issues during its’ first-ever LGBT track.